Traveling to Montreal: how to prepare, what to see
Montreal on the river islands is Canada's second largest (after Toronto) city. It combines skyscrapers and parks with cobbled streets, a cosmopolitan atmosphere with French culture. The symbol of Montreal is Mont Royal with a 70m cross and a park.
Montreal has a metro (4 lines, 68 stations) serving the center, east and north, connecting to the continent. From station to station you can go through underground passages. This is a full-fledged city underground with an exhibition complex, theaters, shops, cafes.
The most prestigious and oldest university, McGill University is ranked among the best in the world. Another university for English-speaking students is Concordia, which is considered an international business school. In Universite de Montreal and Universite du Quebec Francophone students study. Montreal has the Universite de Sherbrooke and Universite Laval campuses.
During a pandemic, careful travel preparation is required. It is recommended to visit the city's website to determine the current situation.
Those who love independence or want to travel out of the city rent a car. Services are already available at the airport. However, it is important to consider that in Montreal there are many potholes on the roads, which the locals call “chicken nests”. Although millions of dollars are spent every year to eliminate them, the quality of the roads does not change. The main reason is a large amount of snow and ice in winter. The locals are used to this, if you follow them, any troubles are prevented.
What to see in Montreal
There are a lot of attractions in this city. It takes (at least) 2 weeks to see everything.
All tourists are the first to inspect the old city with the port, cathedrals, galleries, shops, restaurants. Museum Pointe-à-Callière helps you get to know the history of Montreal better. In this part of the city is also the Basilica of Notre Dame, built in 1824. This church is considered one of the most beautiful in the country.
One of the most important in North America is Museum of Fine Arts of Montreal. Among the 40,000 exhibits are paintings by Matisse and Picasso, examples of modern art, finds by Mediterranean archaeologists, sculptures, engravings, drawings, porcelain, caskets, and antique fabrics. The shop sells books and souvenirs. Wheelchairs are provided for people with disabilities.
The Leaning Tower La tour de Montréal is the tallest of the Leaning Towers (175 meters, 45 degrees). It does not fall due to a good ratio between the weight at the bottom and not at the top (145 thousand to 8 thousand tons). A funicular is installed in the tower, capable of holding the cabin in a horizontal position. There is nothing like it in the whole world.
Montreal Botanical Garden recognized as a monument nature, 22 thousand plants collected from all over the world. The outdoor area is divided into thematic zones dedicated to individual regions.
Another interesting park is located on Saint Helen Island. Its attraction is Biosphere, built 57 years ago. This is a dome under which there is a museum dedicated to the conservation of the aquatic ecosystem.
There are many hotels near the Biosphere with parking lots where you can park your rental cars.
In Montreal, there are many farmers, street, flea markets, the largest "Jean Talon". Tourists buy milk and cheeses, fruits, mushrooms, herbs. Prices are lower than in grocery stores.
Sights near Montreal
Near the city is the town of Saint-Adolph-d'Howard with tourist center of Mont Avalanche. In winter you can go skiing, in summer you can go hiking with different levels of difficulty. The campsite has open parking. In autumn there is a festival with games for children, rides, a pumpkin exhibition.
Leveille hiking trail in the Riviere-du-Nord park. By car, you need to go north, go to Wilson Falls, go up to the river with a great picnic spot.
The Arbraska attraction is open in summer. This is a tree trip for adults and children.
You can drive to Mont-Rigaud from L'Escapade in half an hour. This is a network where you can walk, run, admire the flora and fauna, ride horses.
Another place to walk is the Soulanges Canal at Pointe-des-Cascades. This small town is connected by rivers to Beauharnois-Salaberry, accessible from the island of Montreal.
The best restaurants in Montreal
The main dish, even in restaurants, is smoked pork marinated with spices. Sold with french fries, white bread, mustard. In second place are bagels baked in a wood-fired oven, topped with syrup and poppy seeds. Foie gras is loved in Montreal, many restaurants are dedicated to this dish. Walk dogs are not at all like traditional ones, as they are steamed. A special dish is a pie with meat, potatoes, cloves and cinnamon, which is eaten with ketchup, maple syrup, cranberry jam. Best restaurants:
Au Pied de Coche (+1 514-281-1114, for lovers of meat dishes (roast pig, game, duck baked with herbs), lovers of vegetable dishes order onion soup;
Toque (+15144992084), foie gras according to the author's recipe, a lot of meat, first courses, desserts;
Georgia Restaurant (+1 514-482-1881), Georgian dishes, dumplings with poultry, beef, borscht, kebabs, desserts;
Restaurant Bonaparte (+15148444368), separate menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, meat and fish dishes, venison, desserts.
Parking in Montreal
Parking restrictions lifted in winter. In many parking lots (1300 places in total), cars can be left free of charge from 21.00 to 07.00. The rest of the time, prices are also affordable ($ 1.5-3 per hour). Popular car parks:
AutoParc Stanley 1200 Rue Stanley, Montréal, QC H3B 2S8, $18 per night
Rue Notre-Dame Ouest & Rue de l'Inspecteur Montréal, QC H3C 1J9, $2 per hour
Stationnement au Mont-Royal 11088 Chem. Remembrance, Montréal, QC H3H 1A1, $1 per hour,
Car rental is available at the airport. Bookingautos cooperates with national companies around the world and can offer several options at the airport exit. Customers are provided with any assistance through the call center and chat.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Enterprise
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
33 € / Day
Best price
24 € / Day
Average cost per week of rental in Montreal
January
€188
February
€123
March
€134
April
€139
May
€174
June
€235
July
€237
August
€240
September
€167
October
€129
November
€107
December
€147
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
In August rental companies located in Montreal rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Montreal is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €21 for a Compact car.
Convertible cars in Montreal are in high demand during the summer. This is not surprising. After all, a trip on such a car gives a feeling of freedom and independence, allows you to relax and forget about the problems of the world around you. Although you should be prepared for an increase in rental prices and possible problems with the range of available cars. If we talk about the price Chevrolet Camaro - it will be from €68 per 1 day.
Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:
4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day
Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In Montreal you can rent a convertible, SUV, sedan, minivan, as well as a business class car. Our rental fleet consists of new cars manufactured in 2024 year.
The cost of renting a car in Montreal depends on the car class, rental period, as well as the season of the year. For long-term rentals, rental companies provide good discounts. During the high season, in the summer months, the rental price is much higher than in winter. For example, a daily rental of VW Polo or another budget car in the spring will cost about €21 per day. If you decide to rent this car for a week, then for each day you will have to pay about €16. The daily rental of middle-class cars, Ford Fusion, Opel Insignia Estate, VW Tiguan will be on average €44-€43. In Montreal convertible rental price starts from €68. Luxury cars can be rented for €174, and the cost of renting the most expensive, exclusive models can exceed 550€ per day.
Recently, in Montreal has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Montreal, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be BMW i3.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Montreal car rental tips
Download Google maps for offline access
Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Montreal is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Citroen C1 or VW Polo. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Opel Insignia Estate in Montreal will cost €33 per day.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Montreal may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel Policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Montreal, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Montreal - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Montreal - Downtown
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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